best sub-zero glucometer

[dionh]

hey all

what glucometer does everything think would handle being in the snow the best? Obviously most will say 10-40 degrees or so, but experience wise, which one is best to take on a skiing holiday?

[art]

The cold shouldn't effect the meter per se.
The cold trashes the batteries.

Keep the meter inside your clothing close to your nice warm body.

Art

[livelong]

I have the One Touch Ultra 2 and yesterday when I went skiing it was 20 deg F outside and snowing. My meter was in the truck and when I went back to do a BG check , when it powered up there was a message saying something like it was too cold. I did the same as above a few weeks ago but it was 34 deg F outside and sunny, I was able to get a reading then.

That is my first meter so I do not have much experience with them but I would look for one with a colder use range. Perhaps you could go to the meter manufacture web site and check the specifications for each unit. If you carry it with you put it in your inside pocket. Another option would be most ski resorts have lockers you rent on a daily basis and put your meter in a locker and it will stay warm enough.

Where are you going skiing?

[fgummett]

Unless you are are a regular skier -- well used to how the exercise and cold can affect your BG -- you probably need to keep your BG meter with you on the slope rather than back at the lodge.

As mentioned above, it is also my experience that the meter will let you know if it is too cold... so keep it and your test strips inside your jacket next to your body heat. You also want warm hands for testing-- mittens may be better as they share the heat between the fingers.

Enjoy the snow!

[Danbeck]

Get the one touch ultra mini. They have been free. If fits right in a mans shirt pocket. stays nice and warm here in Minnesota.Dan

[owlyn]

My OneTouch Ultra has been cross-country skiing with me, and I never had a problem with it. Just be sure to keep the strips and the meter in the same place (like an inner pocket) so they are the same temperature.

[TommyC1]

I've only used a OneTouch so I can't say if others tolerate the cold better.
I believe my OneTouch needs to be around 50 F (10 C) or warmer else I get the too cold message.
When I XC ski I keep it and my insulin in a small waist pack on my belly under my shirt. That seems to keep it warm enough that I can pull it out and test. I often ski with my jacket open and couldn't use the meter once when I had it in the inside pocket.

The coldest I've done that was about 10 F (-12 C).

I wonder if the temp changes will screw up the meter but I'd rather have to replace it than go hypo in the woods.

I'm looking for something like a security wallet that I can wear around my neck. The waist pack is a little awkward when I wear a fanny pack on daytrips. So far I have not seen anything I like.

Tommy

[dionh]

thanks guys. am planning on going to Falls Creek in August this yeah and just starting to get things ready. Guess i'll majorly drop my insulin in the morning and perhaps not even have my Levemir morning dose and have like a hydration bladder with some sort of glucose solution in it to sip on to keep me going and plan to measure blood every 15-30 mins for the first few days until I know whats going on. Any thoughts?

[clarky99]

My one touch mini freezes on me after approx. an hour of boarding in - 5 temps.